Cameroon has a small but growing data center market, dominated by state-owned and telco-operated facilities, with the CAMTEL Zamengoe Data Center being the largest Tier III facility in Central Africa.

Overview of the Market

Cameroon's data center market is historically telco-dominated, with telecommunications and fiber infrastructure providers accounting for approximately 90% of overall capacity as of 2025. Nearly half of the capacity is state-owned, reflecting significant government involvement, while independent carrier-neutral providers are limited, with ST Digital being a notable exception offering cloud services . The market primarily focuses on commercial colocation facilities at Tier II standard and above, excluding captive facilities like bank or telco switch sites .

Key Facilities

• CAMTEL Zamengoe Data Center: Located on the outskirts of Yaoundé, this Tier III facility spans 32,292 sqft with 8,611 sqft of raised floor space for colocation. It features a 400 m² server room with approximately 130 bays and storage capacity of 2,000 TB. The center is strategically positioned near major terrestrial fiber infrastructure and submarine cable landing points such as SAT-3 and WACS, ensuring strong regional and international connectivity. Power infrastructure includes three 800 kVA transformers, four 1,000 kVA generators, and a 40,000-liter diesel tank, supporting redundancy and continuous operation. The facility is ISO 27001 certified .
• Other Facilities: Cameroon has at least two commercial data centers from two operators, offering colocation, cloud, and connectivity services. While detailed specifications for the second facility are limited, the market remains small but strategically important for regional digital growth .

Strategic Importance

The Cameroonian government aims to position the country as Central Africa's digital hub, leveraging data centers to support government agencies, educational institutions, financial services, and online platforms like Google and Facebook . The CAMTEL Zamengoe Data Center, valued at €15 million, is part of the National Broadband Network II Project, highlighting the government's commitment to expanding digital infrastructure .

Market Trends

• Limited carrier-neutral presence outside of ST Digital.
• High government involvement, with nearly half of capacity state-owned.
• Focus on Tier II and Tier III standards, with phased construction and potential for cloud hyperscaler facilities.
• Connectivity advantage, with proximity to submarine cables and fiber networks enhancing regional and international data exchange .

Conclusion

Cameroon's data center landscape is small but strategically significant, dominated by state and telco operators, with the CAMTEL Zamengoe Data Center as a flagship Tier III facility. The market offers opportunities for colocation, cloud services, and regional digital expansion, though independent carrier-neutral options remain limited. Investors and enterprises seeking data center services in Cameroon should consider government involvement, connectivity infrastructure, and Tier standards when evaluating facilities .